Strawberry plant named ‘Driscoll Agoura’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry named ‘Driscoll Agoura’. The variety is similar to the varieties ‘El Capitan’ and ‘San Miguel’. The variety is distinguished from ‘El Capitan’ and ‘San Miguel’, in particular, by its weak vigor, obtuse to slightly oblique terminal leaflet base, few stolons, dense stolon pubescence, flat fruiting truss at first picking, strong unevenness of fruit surface, and medium sweetness of the fruit.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: The variety is botanically identified as Fragaria×ananassa.

1. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety originated as a result of a controlled cross between the strawberry plants ‘61C117’ (unpatented Driscoll variety) and ‘19A268’ (unpatented Driscoll variety) in an ongoing breeding program, and was discovered as a seedling in a controlled breeding plot in, Ventura County, Calif. in February, 1998. The original seedling of the new cultivar was asexually propagated by stolons at a nursery in Shasta County, Calif. Propagules were transplanted to a controlled breeding plot in Ventura County, Calif., where it was identified and selected for further evaluation. ‘Driscoll Agoura’ was subsequently asexually propagated and underwent further testing at various locations in Ventura County, Calif. for four years. This propagation and testing has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein which characterize the new variety are fixed and retained true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

2. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry named ‘Driscoll Agoura’. The variety is botanically identified as Fragaria×ananassa. The new variety is distinguished from other varieties by a number of characteristics as set forth in Tables 1-6.

3. COMPARISON TO SIMILAR VARIETIES

The varieties which we believe to be similar to ‘Driscoll Agoura’ from those known to us are ‘El Capitan’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. P.P. 14,005 P3), and ‘San Miguel’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. P.P. 10,642, issued Oct. 13, 1998). There are several characteristics of the new variety that are different from, or not possessed by ‘El Capitan’, and ‘San Miguel’. The new variety has a weak vigor, obtuse to slightly oblique terminal leaflet base, few stolons, dense stolon pubescence, flat fruiting truss at first picking, strong unevenness of fruit surface, and medium sweetness of the fruit.

‘Driscoll Agoura’ differs from its parent ‘61C117’ (unpatented Driscoll variety) in several characteristics, including, but not limited to, having greater berry size and greater early season production. ‘Driscoll Agoura’ differs from its parent ‘19A268’ (unpatented Driscoll variety) in several characteristics, including, but not limited to, having less creaing on the primary berries.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety, including fruit, foliage and flowers, in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in color illustrations of these characteristics. The plants of ‘Driscoll Agoura’ characterized in the botanical descriptions and depicted in the figures were grown outdoors in an annular production system. Measurements were taken during the spring in the second half of the production season, approximately seven months after planting.

FIG. 1 shows leaves of the plant with three leaflets.

FIG. 2 shows leaves of the plant with four leaflets.

FIG. 3 shows the upper side and under side of the flowers.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up of the strawberry.

FIG. 5 shows the strawberry in longitudinal cross-section.

5. DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description of the new variety is based upon observations taken of plants and fruit grown in Ventura County, Calif., U.S.A. Observations of ‘Driscoll Agoura’, ‘El Capitan’ and ‘San Miguel’ were taken in side by side comparison in 2002. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic and cultural conditions. Colors are described and the most similar color designations are provided from The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart.

5.1 PROPAGATION

The new variety is principally propagated by way of stolons. Although propagation by stolons is presently preferred, other known methods of propagating strawberry plants may be employed.

5.2 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE NEW VARIETY

Information on the new variety is presented in Tables 1, 2 and 3. In the tables, the flowers described are secondary flowers except where indicated. The fruit described is the secondary fruit on one year old plants. Fruit and flower measurements are an average of both primary and secondary fruit and flowers. In particular, the reproductive structures of ‘Driscoll Agoura’ are fully self-fertile and typical of the species. Anther color is yellow, 14A and receptacle color is 9A yellow.

Table 1 provides information on the plant and fruit characteristics of the new variety ‘Driscoll Agoura’ compared with characteristics of ‘El Capitan’ and ‘San Miguel’. Table 2 provides additional information of the plant and fruit characteristics of the new variety ‘Driscoll Agoura’ compared with characteristics of the varieties ‘El Capitan’ and ‘San Miguel’. Table 3 provides reactions of the new variety to stresses as compared to the varieties ‘El Capitan’ and ‘San Miguel’. Tables 4 and 5 provide information of the new variety's reaction to pests and diseases, respectively, compared to the varieties ‘El Capitan’ and ‘San Miguel’. Table 6 provides isozyme characteristics of the new variety as compared to the varieties ‘El Capitan’ and ‘San Miguel’.

TABLE 1 DETAILED COMPARISON OF ‘DRISCOLL AGOURA’, ‘EL CAPITAN’ AND ‘SAN MIGUEL’ Driscoll Agoura El Capitan San Miguel Plant Characteristics Height of Plant (cm) 19.1 25.9 23.3 Spread of Plant (cm) 30.1 35.2 32.5 Number of Crowns 2.8 4.0 3.3 Leaf Characteristics Terminal Leaflet Width (cm) 6.6 6.7 6.2 Terminal Leaflet Length (cm) 6.0 5.7 6.6 Terminal Leaflet 1.10 1.17 0.94 Length/Width Ratio Number of Teeth/Terminal 22.0 17.1 23.3 Leaflet Color of upper side of leaf dark green dark green medium to 147A 147A dark green 147A Color of under side of leaf light to light to light to medium medium medium green 138B green 147C green 138B Petiole Length (cm) 15.5 19.0 17.1 Petiole color 149A 149A 149A Bract Frequency 25% 8% 8% typically typically typically single single paired Stipule Length (cm) 3.3 3.8 3.3 Stipule Width (cm) 1.1 1.1 1.1 Flower Characteristics Petal Width (cm) 1.27 1.43 1.37 Petal Length (cm) 1.15 1.48 1.35 Petal Length/Width Ratio 1.10 0.97 1.01 Petal Color 155C 155C Flower Diameter (cm) 2.26 2.75 2.65 Calyx Diameter (cm) 3.44 3.75 2.90 Fruit Characteristics Fruit Width (cm) 4.09 4.59 4.67 Fruit Length (cm) 3.97 4.01 4.18 Fruit Length/Width Ratio 1.03 1.14 1.12 Average Berry Size (g) 25.7 23.0 24.0 Fruit Skin Color dark red 53A dark red 53A dark red 53A Fruit Flesh Color orange red red 43A dark red 41A 45A Average % brix 7.92 7.68 7.24 Brix/Acid Ratio 10.12 9.70 9.51 Achene Coloration dark red to dark red to dark red to yellow yellow green yellow green 59A to 151A 60A to 151A 53A to 151B Total Yield (g/plant) 621 665 650

TABLE 2 CHARACTERISTICS OF ‘DRISCOLL AGOURA’, ‘EL CAPITAN’ AND ‘SAN MIGUEL’ Driscoll Agoura El Capitan San Miguel Plant Habit flat globose globose flat globose Density open medium dense open Vigor weak medium medium Leaf Shape in cross slightly slightly concave section concave to flat concave Interveinal strong strong strong blistering Glossiness medium strong strong Number of more than 3 three only three only leaflets leaflets on approx. 17% of leaves Terminal leaflet flat flat flat to revolute margin profile Terminal leaflet obtuse to rounded rounded shape of base slightly oblique Terminal leaflet rounded obtuse rounded shape of teeth Stipule sparse sparse to sparse pubescence medium Petiole dense dense sparse to pubescence medium Petiole pose outwards outward to outward of hairs downward Stolon Number few many many Anthocyanin weak to medium to weak to coloration medium strong medium Thickness medium thick thin thin to medium Pubescence dense sparse to sparse to medium medium Inflorescence Position relative above above above to foliage Diameter of larger larger larger calyx relative to corolla Diameter of same size smaller to same size inner calyx same size relative to outer Spacing of petals overlapping overlapping overlapping Fruiting Truss Attitude at first Flat prostrate prostrate picking Average Length 12.3 18.4 17.4 (cm) Fruit Predominant wedged to cordate conical to shape cordate cylindrical Difference in marked, marked moderate shapes between primaries are primary and more creased secondary fruits Bands without very narrow very narrow very narrow achenes Unevenness of strong weak to weak to surface medium medium Evenness of slightly slightly even color uneven uneven to even Glossiness strong strong medium Insertion of level with below to level below surface achenes surface with the surface Insertion of set above fruit in a basin to set above calyx level Pose of the calyx reflexed reflexed spreading to segments reflexed Size of calyx in smaller to larger same size relation to fruit same size Adherence of weak to strong strong calyx medium Firmness of flesh firm firm firm Evenness of slightly even even flesh color uneven Distribution of marginal and marginal and marginal and flesh color central central central Hollow center medium large medium size Sweetness medium strong strong Texture when medium fine fine tasted Acidity medium medium medium Time of mid-December mid-December early-January Flowering Harvest Interval late-January to late-January to early-February mid-June mid-June to mid-June Type of Bearing partially partially partially everbearing everbearing everbearing

5.3 REACTION TO STRESS

TABLE 3 Driscoll Agoura El Capitan San Miguel Reaction to Stress high pH moderately moderately moderately resistant resistant resistant high soil salt levels moderately moderately moderately resistant resistant resistant

5.4 PEST AND DISEASE RESISTANCE AND SUSCEPTIBILITY

TABLE 4 Driscoll Agoura El Capitan San Miguel Reaction to Pests Tetranychus urticae moderately moderately moderately resistant resistant resistant Lygus hesperus susceptible susceptible susceptible

TABLE 5 Driscoll Agoura El Capitan San Miguel Reaction to Diseases Botrytis fruit rot moderately moderately moderately susceptible susceptible susceptible Powdery mildew moderately moderately moderately resistant resistant resistant Verticillium wilt susceptible susceptible susceptible Strawberry Mottle moderately moderately moderately resistant Virus resistant resistant Xanthomonas moderately moderately moderately fragariae susceptible susceptible susceptible

5.5 ISOZYME ANALYSIS

In addition to the morphological description above, the new cultivar ‘Driscoll Agoura’ has been analyzed to obtain an indication of its genetic makeup to provide further means for identifying the new variety and distinguishing it from some other somewhat similar and/or related strawberry varieties. Specifically, leaf samples of ‘Driscoll Agoura’, ‘El Capitan’ and ‘San Miguel’ were analyzed by electrophoresis for isozyme patterns of the enzymes phosphoglucoisomeras (PGI), lecuine aminopeptidase (LAP) and phosphoglucomutase (PGM). See J. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 106:684-687. Isozyme characterization of the three varieties is presented in Table 4, with the letters representing the banding patterns for each enzyme as designated in the above-identified article.

TABLE 6 ISOZYME ANALYSIS FOR ‘DRISCOLL AGOURA’, ‘EL CAPITAN’ AND ‘SAN MIGUEL’ Driscoll Locus Agoura El Capitan San Miguel PGI A4 A4 A2 LAP B3 B3 B3 PGM C2 C2 C4 

1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant, substantially as shown and described. 